SEVENTEEN drivers were caught using an Oxford city centre road off limits to vehicles last night.

Officers from Oxford Central & North Neighbourhood Policing Team spent two hours on Turl Street, which runs between Broad Street and the High Street.

Each motorist was hit with a ticket after ignoring the 'no vehicular access' signs at each end of the street.

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Police added officers in high visibility jackets at the Broad Street end deterred dozens of motorists, including '25 mopeds, taxis and other vehicles'.

Between 10am and 6pm, only delivery vehicles less than 5m long are allowed on Turl Street.

Larger delivery vehicles are permitted outside of these hours when they are allowed to exit via Cornmarket.

Several residents praised the police enforcement, with Tony Brett writing on Twitter: "I've been asking for some enforcement here for years!

"The no entry for motor vehicles sign at the south end could not be much clearer.

"While I fully condemn cyclists jumping red lights, folk driving cars Turl St from the High is much more dangerous."

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But others felt the law could better be enforced by functioning bollards on Turl Street and other city centre locations.

Will Dawes wrote: "This is all good, but why are the bollards on Oriel Sq, Broad St, and Turl St not functioning?

"This would have a much quicker effect on stopping inappropriate traffic and make Turl St more safe for cyclists and pedestrians."